UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL
Media release
Bristol health workers say "Thank you" to patients

Hundreds of patients who have helped scientists to understand osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis will gather at the Victoria Rooms in Whiteladies Road on June 26 for a special "thank you" conference organised by the University of Bristol and the United Bristol Healthcare Trust, which runs Bristol Royal Infirmary.

The unique event is expected to attract over 300 people, comprising patients who have volunteered to help with vital research and their guests.

Nationwide, many NHS patients volunteer to help with clinical research projects aimed at increasing scientists' knowledge of disease processes and improving treatment and prevention. They receive no material reward but want to help fellow sufferers of disease and disability and the population as a whole.

The Bristol University Rheumatology Unit, based at the BRI, decided that these patient volunteers' input should be recognised and appreciated, and feedback given from researchers on the results and effects of their involvement.

The "Patients Conference" on June 26 will be based on the established format of a conference for medical professionals, but modified for patient consumption.

Volunteers and their family members and friends will be formally thanked for their help and given up-to-date information about the projects which they sustain. They will be able to talk informally with research staff from medical, nursing, therapy, radiography, laboratory and administrative fields, and to have more structured discussions with rheumatology specialists.

Dr John Kirwan, Consultant and Reader in Rheumatology at Bristol Royal Infirmary and convenor of the conference, said: "In the last year or so, over 700 patients have helped in our various research projects. We feel that our Patients Conference is a good way of showing our appreciation and keeping people informed of the latest developments at the same time. Without our patient volunteers, we would not have made progress in treating the terrible challenge of arthritis."

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Email: public-relations@bristol.ac.uk
Copyright: 2001 The University of Bristol, UK
Updated: Wednesday, 26-Jun-2002 10:36:43 BST